<p>A job in forestry promises a ‘clean and fresh’ workplace at the least, says Richa Hegde<br /><br /></p>.<p>Forests not only provide an opportunity to spend a lifetime admiring nature but are a vital source for human sustenance. Maintenance of forests is important for maintaining the ecological balance. Therefore, our forests need specially-trained personnel to preserve and regenerate the forest cover, wealth and resources.<br /><br />Forestry is a promising career choice, creating niche avenues for those who have a spirit of adventure, a genuine interest in preserving the natural environment, and an inclination for research and analysis.<br /><br />Course details<br /><br />Forestry is the science of development and care of forests. Ideally, those interested must complete Class 12 or the equivalent in Science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology). Further to this, students may take up a B.Sc in Forestry, B.Sc in Wildlife, M.Sc in Forestry, M.Sc in Wildlife Biology, M.Sc in Wood Science and Technology or a Postgraduate Diploma in Forest Management. They can also pursue a doctorate after the completion of postgraduation.<br /><br />Those with a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management may appear for the Indian Forest Service Exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The exam is conducted every year in the month of July and the pattern is similar to that of the Civil Services exam. The selection process is carried out in three phases, wherein the candidates are sent for foundation training to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, followed by specialised orientation for the forest service at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy.<br /><br />Areas of specialisation<br /><br />After the completion of any of the relevant courses mentioned above, one can opt to work either in offices, laboratories or outdoors, depending on his/her field of specialisation. The positions in this stream are:<br /><br />Foresters: A forest officer is responsible for protecting and regenerating forests, protecting its wildlife habitat, preventing wild fires and taking care of landscape management. <br /><br />Forest range officers: Area of activity involves monitoring the existing forest practices. Range officers take care of forests, sanctuaries and zoological gardens. They have conservators, forest workers, loggers and other junior personnel working along with them.<br /><br />Forest protection officers/ health specialists: They protect forests from illegal felling, pests, diseases and forest fires. They also provide assistance for wasteland management to ensure the area is preserved. They work in close co-operation with entomologists who specialise in the study and control of diseases caused by insects and pests.<br /><br />Biologists/ ecologists: They are involved in the scientific study of trees and woody plants.<br /><br /> They conduct research on the history, life span of the fauna, classifying the different varieties of trees and devising various means of afforestation. They also conduct research in the areas of tree entomology, improvement and other development work concerned with forests.<br /><br />Ethnologists: They analyse the evolution, behaviour, biological functions of an organism in its natural environment. It is up to ethnologists to design healthy nurturing habits of animals in zoos, aquariums and laboratories and sanctuaries.<br /><br />Forest manager: They are entrusted with the task of growing, harvesting, marketing and sale of timber. Managers typically supervise forest workers and contractors.<br /><br />Land-use planners: Their area of work involves advising woodland owners on planting designs and species choice, budgeting, conducting ecological surveys and forest certification. They also work with landscape architects, biologists, surveyors and engineers involved in forestry.<br /><br />Natural resource policy analyst: The analyst divides his/her time between planning and allocating the forest budget and managing public relations. <br /><br />Silviculture: Silviculture is an aspect of forestry that refers to the growth of plantations that yield periodic harvests.<br /><br />Zoo curators: They are responsible for the welfare of animals in zoos and undertake conservation programmes. They play a key role in the administration and review of reports by zookeepers. It is up to zoo curators to calculate budgetary requirements and to facilitate research-related programmes.<br /><br />Graduates can seek employment with governmental, non-governmental organisations, zoological parks and wildlife ranges involved in the preservation of forest resources. <br /><br />Where to study<br /><br />*Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi<br />*College of Agriculture, Mysore, Karnataka<br />*Agriculture College and Research Institute, Coimbatore<br />*Manipur University, Imphal, Manipur<br />*Forest Research Institute, Dehradun<br />*Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh<br />*University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore<br />*College of Forestry, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir<br />*College of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh<br />*Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun</p>
<p>A job in forestry promises a ‘clean and fresh’ workplace at the least, says Richa Hegde<br /><br /></p>.<p>Forests not only provide an opportunity to spend a lifetime admiring nature but are a vital source for human sustenance. Maintenance of forests is important for maintaining the ecological balance. Therefore, our forests need specially-trained personnel to preserve and regenerate the forest cover, wealth and resources.<br /><br />Forestry is a promising career choice, creating niche avenues for those who have a spirit of adventure, a genuine interest in preserving the natural environment, and an inclination for research and analysis.<br /><br />Course details<br /><br />Forestry is the science of development and care of forests. Ideally, those interested must complete Class 12 or the equivalent in Science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology). Further to this, students may take up a B.Sc in Forestry, B.Sc in Wildlife, M.Sc in Forestry, M.Sc in Wildlife Biology, M.Sc in Wood Science and Technology or a Postgraduate Diploma in Forest Management. They can also pursue a doctorate after the completion of postgraduation.<br /><br />Those with a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management may appear for the Indian Forest Service Exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The exam is conducted every year in the month of July and the pattern is similar to that of the Civil Services exam. The selection process is carried out in three phases, wherein the candidates are sent for foundation training to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, followed by specialised orientation for the forest service at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy.<br /><br />Areas of specialisation<br /><br />After the completion of any of the relevant courses mentioned above, one can opt to work either in offices, laboratories or outdoors, depending on his/her field of specialisation. The positions in this stream are:<br /><br />Foresters: A forest officer is responsible for protecting and regenerating forests, protecting its wildlife habitat, preventing wild fires and taking care of landscape management. <br /><br />Forest range officers: Area of activity involves monitoring the existing forest practices. Range officers take care of forests, sanctuaries and zoological gardens. They have conservators, forest workers, loggers and other junior personnel working along with them.<br /><br />Forest protection officers/ health specialists: They protect forests from illegal felling, pests, diseases and forest fires. They also provide assistance for wasteland management to ensure the area is preserved. They work in close co-operation with entomologists who specialise in the study and control of diseases caused by insects and pests.<br /><br />Biologists/ ecologists: They are involved in the scientific study of trees and woody plants.<br /><br /> They conduct research on the history, life span of the fauna, classifying the different varieties of trees and devising various means of afforestation. They also conduct research in the areas of tree entomology, improvement and other development work concerned with forests.<br /><br />Ethnologists: They analyse the evolution, behaviour, biological functions of an organism in its natural environment. It is up to ethnologists to design healthy nurturing habits of animals in zoos, aquariums and laboratories and sanctuaries.<br /><br />Forest manager: They are entrusted with the task of growing, harvesting, marketing and sale of timber. Managers typically supervise forest workers and contractors.<br /><br />Land-use planners: Their area of work involves advising woodland owners on planting designs and species choice, budgeting, conducting ecological surveys and forest certification. They also work with landscape architects, biologists, surveyors and engineers involved in forestry.<br /><br />Natural resource policy analyst: The analyst divides his/her time between planning and allocating the forest budget and managing public relations. <br /><br />Silviculture: Silviculture is an aspect of forestry that refers to the growth of plantations that yield periodic harvests.<br /><br />Zoo curators: They are responsible for the welfare of animals in zoos and undertake conservation programmes. They play a key role in the administration and review of reports by zookeepers. It is up to zoo curators to calculate budgetary requirements and to facilitate research-related programmes.<br /><br />Graduates can seek employment with governmental, non-governmental organisations, zoological parks and wildlife ranges involved in the preservation of forest resources. <br /><br />Where to study<br /><br />*Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi<br />*College of Agriculture, Mysore, Karnataka<br />*Agriculture College and Research Institute, Coimbatore<br />*Manipur University, Imphal, Manipur<br />*Forest Research Institute, Dehradun<br />*Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh<br />*University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore<br />*College of Forestry, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir<br />*College of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh<br />*Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun</p>
